Chippenham become first team to the double over champions Torquay United

Goal celebrations for Dean Evans of Chippenham Town during the National League South Match between Chippenham Town and Torquay United on Saturday 19 April 2019 at Hardenhuish Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire . - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Veteran centre-forward Nick McCootie's 69th minute header gave Chippenham Town a surprise win and dented Torquay United's National League South championships celebrations at Hardenhuish Park.

It looked as if the Gulls' 17-year-old Olaf Koszela had earned Gary Johnson's title-winners a hard-earned point when his first senior goal in the 57th minute cancelled out Dean Evans first-half opener.

But on a day when United visibly missed loan striker Saikou Janneh, who had been recalled by Bristol City, the mid-table Bluebirds became the only team to inflict a 'double' on Torquay in a match ruined by what must be the worst pitch in the division.

It was United's first defeat in eight games, and they should encounter much better conditions when they receive the NL South trophy at Monday's penultimate game of the season against Hungerford Town at Plainmoor.

Janneh had scored 18 goals and was second top-scorer, so he was obviously missed - not just for his finishing, but also for his work-rate.

The Hardenhuish pitch, a lottery in pace and bounce, turned any attempt at a passing move into a high-risk manoeuvre, which affected the Gulls far more than it did the Bluebirds, who relied for the most part on long balls up to targetman Nick McCootie or over the top for the pace of Nat Jarvis.

United still dominated long periods of the first half, without creating any clear chances, although Jake Andrews shot not far wide from Kalala's square pass early on.

The Gulls fans in a 1,906 crowd, massed behind Shaun MacDonald's goal before half-time, had little to cheer about as moves repeatedly broke down.

But they have the consolation of another classy display by Vincent in midfield, following up his man-of-the-match performance against Eastbourne Borough last weekend.

Jamie Reid did well to run off an ankle knock before Chippenham took the lead with their first and only real chance before the interval.

Vincent was slightly harshly pulled up for a foul outside the Torquay penalty-area, Josh Smile whipped the free-kick into the goalmouth where Evans' run was not picked up and he headed home from just outside the six-yard box…1-0.

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United forced a series of corners and free-kicks of their own, without making any of them count, disappointing on a day when opportunities like that were always likely to be important.

Johnson sent Koszela on for Kalala at the interval, and United visibly moved up a gear.

Reid shot narrowly wide across the face of goal on Lemonheigh-Evans' pass, Sendles-White nearly forced the ball home from a Ben Wynter cross and Lemonheigh-Evans had a goalbound shot deflected wide before Koszela struck.

He had been on the pitch only 12 minutes before his clever run beat the offside trap on Wynter's long diagonal cross before he headed firmly home…1-1.

United looks odds-on to win from there, but Chippenham picked themselves up and, after Kieran Parselle headed onto the top of the bar and over, they regained the lead in the 69th minute.

Kyle Cameron did well to hold Jarvis up on the right, but the Town striker laid the ball off to Rhys Davies, his cross was perfect for McCootie and he planted a glancing header into the far corner from eight yards.

Johnson sent on Ryan Dickson and Opi Edwards for Davis and Andrews as the Gulls piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

It was all Torquay near the end, but they could not force a second equaliser.